Indicium Illumination

ABSTRACT

An electronic device comprising a housing having a front and a back; a component embedded within the front or the back of the housing; and an array of light-generating sources (LGSs) deposited on a substrate disposed in the housing, the array of LGSs being disposed adjacent at least a portion of the component of the electronic device.

PRIORITY

This application claims priority as a continuation-in-part applicationunder 37 CFR 1.78 to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/941,442, filedNov. 13, 2015 and titled, “Indicium Illumination.”

BACKGROUND

Light-emitting diode (LED) technology provides a lighting means thatconsumes less energy and is more physically robust, smaller,faster-switching, and longer lasting than previous lighting elements.However, the size, functionality, and configuration of conventional LEDshave constrained the use of LEDs to particular applications. As thedesirability of thinness of devices has grown, certain functionalitieshave been sacrificed in order to preserve slim form factors. Forexample, some laptops include a logo on the laptop lid that is lit whilethe laptop screen is lit. In most cases, the logo is lit by thebacklight for the liquid crystal display (LCD) of the laptop screen and,accordingly, is unlit when the lid is shut or the LCD backlight isotherwise turned off. Continued illumination of the logo when the lid isshut has not previously been contemplated because keeping the backlightlit while the laptop is in a hibernate mode would be an inefficient useof battery and adding extra lighting elements to illuminate the logowould substantially increase the thickness of the laptop. For similarreasons, second displays or other indicia have not been added to laptopcovers, mobile devices, or other objects.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The detailed description is described with reference to the accompanyingfigures. In the figures, the left-most digit(s) of a reference numberidentifies the figure in which the reference number first appears. Thesame reference numbers in different figures indicate similar oridentical items.

FIG. 1A is an illustration depicting example environments for lightingan indicium located on electronic devices.

FIG. 1B is an illustration depicting an example environment for lightingan indicium located on a laptop cover.

FIG. 2 is a cross-section diagram illustrating a technique forilluminating an indicium using thin edge-lighting.

FIG. 3A is a cross-section diagram illustrating a technique forilluminating an indicium using a thin second display.

FIG. 3B is a cross-section diagram illustrating another technique forilluminating an indicium using a thin second display.

FIG. 4A is a cross-section diagram illustrating an example dispositionof a thin second display to illuminate an indicium.

FIG. 4B is a diagram looking towards an emission direction of thedescribed light-generating sources illustrating an example dispositionof a thin second display to illuminate an indicium.

FIG. 4C is an example environment of the described technique employing athin second display to illuminate the indicium and includes across-section diagram illustrating an example disposition of a thinsecond display to illuminate an indicium.

FIG. 5A is a cross-section diagram illustrating an example dispositionof a thin second display to illuminate an indicium.

FIG. 5B is a diagram of the example disposition of the thin seconddisplay of FIG. 5A from another angle.

FIG. 6A is a cross-section diagram illustrating an example dispositionof a thin second display to illuminate an indicium.

FIG. 6B is a diagram of the example disposition of the thin seconddisplay of FIG. 6A from another angle.

FIG. 7 a cross-section diagram illustrating a technique for illuminatinga display and an indicium using a thin display.

FIG. 8A is a cross-section diagram of an example of an indiciumilluminated by a surface-mounted light-generating source.

FIG. 8B is a cross-section diagram of an example of an indiciumilluminated by a surface-mounted light-generating source.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram illustrating an example device employing thedescribed techniques.

FIG. 10 is a flow chart of an example method to effect notifications onan indicium.

FIG. 11A illustrates an example embodiment of a lighting feature of anelectronic device.

FIG. 11B illustrates an example embodiment of a lighting feature of anelectronic device.

FIG. 12A illustrates an example embodiment of a lighting feature of anelectronic device.

FIG. 12B illustrates an example embodiment of a lighting feature of anelectronic device.

FIG. 13 illustrates an example embodiment of a lighting feature of anelectronic device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION Overview

This disclosure is directed to techniques and devices to provideillumination of indicium such as, for example, a logo or user interfacedisposed on a laptop cover. In some embodiments, the techniques anddevices herein provide illumination of indicium without regard to thestate of a display of the device. In some examples, the features provideillumination to enhance the function of a component of an electronicdevice such as, for example, providing light to illuminate anenvironment for a camera of an electronic device. In other examples, thetechniques and devices herein provide illumination of indicium whenopaque components of the device are located between the lit indicium anda display of the device. In yet other examples, the opacity of theindicium may be reduced and/or the amplitude of the illumination may beincreased such that the techniques illuminate an environment via theindicium.

The techniques and systems described herein may be implemented in anumber of ways. Example implementations are provided below withreference to the following figures. The implementations, examples, andillustrations described herein may be combined. The term “techniques,”for instance, may refer to system(s), method(s), computer-readablemedia/instructions, module(s), algorithms, hardware logic (e.g.,Field-programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs), Application-Specific IntegratedCircuits (ASICs), Application-Specific Standard Products (ASSPs),System-on-a-chip systems (SOCs), Complex Programmable Logic Devices(CPLDs)), and/or technique(s) as permitted by the context describedabove and throughout the document.

Illustrative Environment

FIGS. 1A and 1B are illustrations depicting example devices (100, 102,104) and device states in which examples described herein may operate.In some examples, the various devices may comprise electronic devicessuch as a laptop 100 or laptop 102. In other examples, the electronicdevice may be a tablet or smartphone as illustrated at 104. In stillother examples, the device may not intrinsically be an electronicdevice. For example, the device may be any surface to which the lightingelements described herein may be attached or inserted.

In one example, the device comprises a laptop (100, 102) having anindicium (e.g., 106(1), 106(2), 106(4)) disposed on the back cover 108of the laptop. An indicium may include an icon, logo, mark, design,symbol, or display, among others. The indicium may be static (e.g., atranslucent plastic inset on a laptop, a sticker on a bike, etching,engraving) or dynamic (e.g., liquid crystal display (LCD)). For example,the indicium may comprise a translucent, semi-transparent, orlight-diffusing material shaped as a company mark, such as the indicium106(1) of laptop 100. In various examples, the indicium can comprise abezel and/or other features of a device. In other embodiments, theindicium may be an electronic component such as, for example, one ormore of: an LCD 106(2), a camera 106(4), a button or other input device106(5), a radio frequency (RF) emitter, data port (e.g., USB, optical),charging port etc.

It is not necessary, however, that the device be a laptop (100, 102);the device may be a smartphone or tablet 104 having an indicium (e.g.,106(3), 106(5)) thereon disposed or any other object having a surfacecomprising an indicium to which the light-generating sources (LGSs)described herein may be affixed or inserted. For example, the object maybe a car or a bike to which a decal is affixed, the LGS being disposedso as to light the decal, whether by affixing the LGS to the decal or bydisposing the light generating source underneath or within the decal.

FIGS. 1A and 1B illustrate contrasting device states during which theLGSs described herein may be active. FIG. 1A, at 100 and 102,illustrates a “device open” state where, in the instance of a laptop,the laptop lid is up. During this state, the device is commonly in a“power on” state but may also be in a hibernate or sleep state; adisplay sleep state, where the display is powered off but the rest ofthe device or substantially all of the rest of the device remainspowered on; or in a “power off” state. These states are also common toelectronic devices other than laptops. Often, electronic devices turnoff the backlight to the display during power off, hibernate, sleep, anddisplay sleep states to conserve battery power and because having anadditional display for continued input/output during these states wouldincrease device thickness and power consumption. The techniquescontemplated herein provide the ability to illuminate indicium withoutincreasing device thickness or causing a large drain on the battery.

FIG. 1B illustrates a “device closed” state where, in the instance of alaptop, the laptop lid is shut. During this state, the device iscommonly in a “power off” state but may also be in a hibernate or sleepstate or a display sleep state, where the display is powered off but therest of the device or substantially all of the rest of the deviceremains powered on.

Illustrative Technique for Indicium Illumination Using ThinEdge-Lighting

FIG. 2 depicts a cross-section of an electronic device 200 having anindicium 202 (e.g., a transparent, translucent, or otherwiselight-diffusing logo; a liquid crystal display; other display layers,etching, design, symbol, image, electronic component of the electronicdevice 200 etc.) disposed in a housing 204 employing a technique forindicium illumination using a thin edge-lighting solution (e.g., LGS206). The electronic device 200 comprises a light generating source(LGS) 206 along one or more edges (e.g., sides, outside surfaces) of thebacklight (e.g., collectively, the LGS 206 and light guide 208). Asreferred to herein, LGS may refer to an individual lighting element or agroup of lighting elements. In some examples, the LGS 206 may bedisposed along the entire display (e.g., collectively, the LGS 206,light guide 208, and display layer 210). LGS 206 is disposed along oneside and emits light into light guide 208, as illustrated by light rays212(1) and 212(2). The LGS 206 emits the light in a light emissiondirection 214 transverse to the display light diffusion direction 216.

Note that a “light diffusion direction” and a “light emission direction”may be the same or different. As used herein, “light diffusiondirection” is defined to be the direction in which light generallytravels to be perceived by an end user or an intended direction of thedevice whereas “light emission direction” is defined to mean a directionin which a LGS emits light. It is contemplated that “light diffusiondirection” and “light emission direction” may be very broad terms seeingthat the actual directions photons travel may vary widely depending onmultiple factors, including the material through which they travel(e.g., the medium into which the photon is fired, lenses over the LGS,display layers through which the photons travel). Therefore, the termsrefer to the direction that most broadly described the direction inwhich the particular light is travelling. It is also contemplated thatan LGS may emit light in a direction (i.e., light emission direction)that is the same as the light diffusion direction (e.g., when a LGS isoriented to emit light directly at the display layer 210 (see FIG. 7),rather than parallel with the display layer 210 to be refracted into thedisplay layer 210 as illustrated in FIG. 2). Furthermore, just becausethe language “light emission direction” was chosen to describe thedirection in which the LGS is oriented to emit light does not mean thatthe LGS is not diffused as it is emitted. The term “light emissiondirection” only defines the original emission direction whereas thelight diffusion direction defines a direction in which the light emittedis diffused.

LGS 206 may emit electromagnetic radiation of any wavelength appropriatefor the use of the display such as, for example, visible light,ultraviolet, infrared, or x-ray, among others. In other implementations,LGS 206 may be an array of packaged light-emitting diodes (LEDs),organic LEDs (OLEDs), laser diodes, quantum dot LEDs (QD-LEDs), a hybridof these or any other similar device. In another example, LGS 206 maycomprise an array of deposited LEDs (dLEDs) or printable light-emittingdiodes (pLEDs). An example of an LGS that is contemplated to be usedwith the technology described herein is described in U.S. Pat. No.8,415,879, which is titled “Diode for a Printable Composition,” which isincorporated by reference herein. These LEDs are printed, thus they arecalled pLEDs herein. In one example, the pLEDs may have largely-coplanarelectrodes.

For a dLED implementation, individual LGSs (e.g., unpackaged LEDs, LEDdies) may be disposed (e.g., printed, laminated, captured) on asubstrate (e.g., a thin film having a thickness of less than 0.25millimeters, a thin film having a thickness of 0.2 millimeters, a thinfilm having a thickness of 0.1 to 0.15 millimeters, a thin film having athickness of 0.07 to 0.1 millimeters, a thin film having a thickness of0.006 to 0.012 millimeters, a flexible thin film). Collectively, dLEDs,pLEDs, LED die, etc. deposited on a substrate are referred to as dLEDLGSs herein. Note that in FIG. 2, although discrete units appear to beillustrated as LGS 206, it is contemplated that the LGS may comprisethousands of dLEDs in an embodiment utilizing a dLED LGS.

Unpackaged LEDs may be used as the individual LGSs to form a dLED LGS.In some examples, the unpackaged LEDs have a diameter ranging from 10 to50 microns and a height ranging from 5 and 20 microns. In one example,the unpackaged LEDs have a maximum width or length, whichever is longer,ranging from about 300 to 320 microns. In some implementations, theindividual LGSs (e.g., unpackaged LEDs, LED dies) have a diameterranging from about 20 to 30 microns and a height ranging from about 5 to50 microns. In one example, the unpackaged LEDs have dimensions ofranging from 230 to 300 microns on one side, 180 to 200 microns on asecond side, and 50 to 80 microns in height. Therefore measurementsreferencing to thickness with respect to a dLED LGS herein are within 80microns of the distance stated since the thickness of a dLED LGS isdetermined primarily by the thickness of the substrate (where thicknessof the dLED LGS is a measure of the height of the profile of the dLEDLGS or, equivalently, a measure of the distance from the surface of theoutermost layer of the substrate to the side of the LGS disposed awayfrom the outermost layer of the substrate).

Furthermore, because the maximum width of unpackaged LEDs issignificantly less than that of packaged LEDs, space between the centersof each LED are drastically reduced which therefore increases theuniformity of the perceived light. In one example, the space between thecenters of each unpackaged LED after being deposed is 0.05 millimeters.Since LEDs produce a “point” of light and because it is desirable inmany applications to have uniform light (i.e., not being able todistinguish each point of light), as a rule of thumb, the diffusingoffset distance (i.e., the minimum distance at which the light emittedfrom a LED array is perceived as uniform) may be approximately equal tothe distance between the centers 224 of adjacent LEDs. Therefore, for adLED LGS, the diffusing offset distance may have a diffusing offsetdistance of approximately 0.05 millimeters.

Any suitable type of technology can be utilized to implement conductivetraces. Examples of suitable technologies include, by way of example andnot limitation: silver, carbon-like material, or any other material forconducting electricity. The conductive traces may be composed ofmaterial that is reflective, opaque, or otherwise not translucent nortransparent. In some examples, the conductive traces may be translucentor transparent (e.g., by using indium tin oxide). The conductive tracesmay include conductive nano-fibers. Conductive traces may be createdusing conventional conductive ink or other similar processes. Conductiveinks may be classed as fired high solids systems or PTF (polymer thickfilm) systems that allow circuits to be drawn or printed on a variety ofsubstrate materials such as polyester to paper. These types of materialsusually contain conductive materials such as powdered or flaked silverand carbon like materials. While conductive inks can be an economicalway to lay down a modern conductive traces, traditional industrialstandards such as etching of conductive traces may be used on relevantsubstrates. In yet another example, conductive traces may be premadesimilarly to photo-etched copper and can have a secondary conductivebond material (e.g., solder) applied to the premade conductive trace tofacilitate attachment.

Conventional light guides for edge-lit applications employing packagedLEDs have a thickness 218 of approximately 0.25-0.5 millimeters. In anexample employing dLED LGSs, the light guide 208 need not be that thick.In an implementation employing dLED LGSs to edge-light the display(collectively, the LGS 206, light guide 208, and display layer 210), thedLED LGS may be directly attached to the edge of the light guide 208(e.g., molded, pressed, adhered) without a lens structure common topackaged LEDs. Furthermore, the light guide 208 need not be as thick asconventional light guides (0.25-0.5 millimeters) since dLEDs have asubstantially smaller dimensions and may sufficiently illuminate thelight guide 208 and display layer 210.

Laptops and other displays, such as televisions, commonly employedge-lighting to illuminate the liquid crystal displays (LCDs) thatconvey images to users. Display layer 210 represents the various layersof a LCD (e.g., polarizing film, glass filter, negative electrode,liquid crystal layer, thin film transistors, positive electrode, coverglass), diffuser, prism film, and any additional or any otherappropriate layers that would modify light to represent images (e.g.,images, symbols, signals). Light rays 212(1) that reflect are refractedin the display light diffusion direction 216 are modified (e.g.,diffused, blocked, colored) by the display layer 210, to form thedesired image (e.g., image, symbol, signal).

In some instances, to increase the brightness of the images presented tothe user via the display layer 210, a reflector 220 (e.g., mirror) maybe included between the light guide 208 and the housing 204. In oneexample, the reflector 220 may be non-continuous to illuminate anindicium 202 disposed in the housing 204. A gap 222 in the reflector 220allows light to pass through to illuminate the indicium 202, which maybe incorporated in the housing 204 and permit at least some of lightrays 212(2) to pass therethrough.

Illustrative Technique for Indicium Illumination Using Thin SecondDisplay

FIG. 3A depicts a cross-section of device 300 comprising a first display302 (e.g., light-emitting diode (LED)-backlit liquid crystal display(LCD)) comprised of an LED 304, light guide 306, and display layer 308(having the same or similar components as display layer 210 above if aLCD is used) and having a light diffusion direction 310 in which generaldirection the light rays 312 are refracted after being emitted by theLED 304 and modified (e.g., diffused, colored, blocked, intensified) bythe display layer 308 propagate.

Although the description and illustration of FIG. 3A depicts a device300 employing a LED-backlit LCD, other display means can alternativelybe employed as a first display 302, such as, for example, full array LEDbacklighting (e.g., LEDs emitting light directly in the light diffusiondirection 310 rather than transversely and being disposed on thereflector 310 throughout the x-z coordinate plane), dynamic backlight(e.g., “local dimming” wherein backlighting LEDs are controlledindividually or in clusters to control the level of light/colorintensity in a given part of the screen), organic LED, plasma, cathoderay tube, or a thin display (e.g., dLED LGSs) as illustrated in FIG. 3B,among others. Any suitable display device may be employed as a firstdisplay 302 having a first light diffusion direction 310 to which thethin second display 314 may be affixed.

In one example, the thin second display 314 may comprise LGSs affixed toa substrate (e.g., collectively, dLED LGSs) and may be affixed (e.g.,molded, laminated, pressed, adhered) to a reflector 316. The thin seconddisplay 314 has a second light emission direction 318 that illuminatesindicium 320 through which light rays 322 pass or may be blocked ifindicium 320 is a LCD. The indicium 320 may therefore be illuminatedindependently of a state of the display 302. That is, the indicium 320may be illuminated by the thin second display 314 whether or not the LED306 is active to provide backlight for the display layer 308.

In yet another example, the thin second display 314 (e.g., a dLED LGS)may be affixed to the light guide 306. In that example, the substrate towhich the LGSs are deposited may have a reflective surface on the sideaffixed to the light guide 306. Alternatively, the substrate could betranslucent or transparent to allow light from the thin second display314 to radiate in the light diffusion direction 310 to illuminate thedisplay layer 308. For example, the first LED 304 providing backlightfor the display 302 may be inactive and the thin second display 314 maybe active to light one or more of the indicium 320 and the display layer308. This may provide a lower power option for displaying userinterfaces that may not require as many pixels of a display. Examples ofsuch user interfaces may include, for example, a login box,notification, or status.

In some instances, the thin second display 314 can be affixed to ahousing 324 or to the indicium 320 itself. In one example, the thinsecond display 314 is affixed to the housing 324 of an electronic devicehaving other layers disposed between the housing 324 and a first display(e.g., a thin second display affixed to the housing of a smartphonewhere a battery and other components separate the housing on the oneside from the first display on the other side). Furthermore, the thinsecond display 314 may simultaneously contact or be affixed to one ormore of the light guide 306, the reflector 316, housing 324, and theindicium 320. In one example, the thin second display 314 may be affixedto one of the light guide 306, the reflector 316, or the housing 324 andthere may be space in between the thin second display 314 and theindicium 320. Alternatively, diffusion, prism, phosphor, additionaldLED, or other layers may be disposed between the thin second display314 and the indicium 320. For example, in an example where the thinsecond display 314 comprises a dLED LGS, to provide modifications to thecoloration of the light rays 322, a phosphor layer may be applied toindividual LGSs (e.g., LED die) before depositing individual LGSs on thesubstrate or a phosphor layer may be applied to the LGS and substratepost-deposition.

In yet another example, the thin second display 314 may comprise aflexible substrate (e.g., a polyester substrate) which can be shaped soas to form the outline of a symbol, image, or logo, thereby illuminatingthe outline or the entirety of the symbol, image, or logo. It is alsocontemplated that the indicium 320 may be on the same side of a deviceas the display 302 (e.g., a logo underneath a monitor screen, a buttonunderneath a display, a sensor area underneath a display, a camera abovea display, etc.) or may have multiple indicia 320, whether on a sameside of a device or on opposing sides (e.g., a smartphone having adisplay with a logo above the display and a logo on an opposite side, adevice having multiple screens, a front-facing camera, infrared sensor).

In some examples, the thin second display 314 may illuminate at least aportion of an electronic component of the device 300 such as, forexample, a button, a camera, a sensor area, an input device, etc. Forexample, the thin second display 314 may light at least part of thecircumference of a button. In various examples, the thin second display314 may be positioned such that light from the LGSs passes an electroniccomponent, such as a camera, to light an environment. For example, thethin second display 314 can be used as a flash or may providenotifications regarding the camera via a pattern and/or color of lightbeing displayed. In some examples, the pattern may be a “tail chasing”pattern to convey the function of storing, processing, updating, afunction in process (e.g., capturing data), etc. In various examples, acolor of emitted light can indicate various outputs such as, forexample, error codes (e.g., red emitted light), applicationnotification, etc.

In various examples, the thin second display 314 can comprise a side ofthe device 300 disposed opposite the display layer 380 and/or may bedisposed underneath a transparent or semi-transparent housing such thatinformation may be conveyed on multiple sides of the device. In someexamples, the thin second display 314 may be disposed on any portion ofthe device 300.

FIG. 3B similarly illustrates a cross-section of device 300 in anadditional or different configuration according to examples discussedabove. For example, FIG. 3B illustrates use of a different type of firstdisplay, namely a thin display 326 (e.g., dLED LGS) of the same orsimilar type as the thin second display 314 (e.g., dLED LGS). Theexamples discussed with regard to the functionality and uses of a thinsecond display are equally applicable here. Using a thin display 326 mayincrease thinness of the total display due to the eliminated need for alight guide and the decrease in diffusing offset distance.

FIG. 3B also illustrates a cross-section of a thin display 326 havingthickness 328 (i.e., for a dLED LGS this equals a total height of theprofile of the substrate and the LEDs) of less than 0.25 millimeters,although the thickness may be within a range of 0.1 to 0.15 millimeters,0.025 to 0.1 millimeters and as little as 0.015 millimeters.Furthermore, FIG. 3B illustrates a minimum diffusing offset distance 330(i.e., the distance from an emission surface of the thin display 326 tothe viewing surface which is in this case a surface of the indicium320), which is equal to the distance between the centers of the lightemitting components of the thin display 326 as illustrated by 332 (i.e.,the distance 330 is equal to the distance of 332).

FIG. 4A illustrates a close up cross-section of the thin second display314 (e.g., dLED LGS) in one example configuration to illuminate theindicium 320. In this example, the thin second display 314 is affixed toone or more of the light guide 306, reflector 316, or housing 324 suchthat the LGSs 400 emit light away from or, equivalently, perpendicularto the largest surface area of one or more of the light guide 306,reflector 316, or housing 324. The thin second display 314 emits in apositive y-direction as defined by the Cartesian coordinates in FIG. 4A.This embodiment is similar to “full-array” or direct LED lightingembodiments.

FIG. 4B is a diagram illustrating an example layout of LGSs 400 lookingtowards the emission of the LGSs 400 or, equivalently, in a negativey-direction as defined by the Cartesian coordinates in FIG. 4A. In someexamples, the LGSs 400 or LGS groups may be evenly dispersed throughoutthe thin second display 314. Any other appropriate pattern ordistribution of the LGSs 400 that would appropriately light the indicium320 for the particular use is contemplated. For example, the LGSs 400may be disposed so as to provide continuous illumination throughout atleast a portion of the indicium 320 or may be disposed so as to providecontiguous illumination in discrete portions of an indicium 320 (e.g.,around the edges, in a pattern throughout the indicium). FIG. 4Billustrates that the LGSs 400 may be disposed such that the LGSs 400emit light towards the indicium 320 or, equivalently, in a positivey-direction.

FIG. 4C further illustrates an example environment in which theconfiguration of the thin second display illustrated by FIG. 4A anddiscussed above may be employed. FIG. 4C depicts a laptop 402 and across-section of laptop 402 having an indicium 320 disposed in a housing324 being lit by LGSs 400. Note that the cross-section is invertedcompared to the cross-section of FIG. 4A to correspond with the depictedorientation of the laptop 402. As discussed above, the indicium 320 canalternatively or additionally include a bezel or other features of adevice such as a portion of the housing of the device, and/or anelectronic component such as, for example, an LCD, a camera, a button orother input device, sensor(s) (e.g., infrared sensor, depth sensor),scanner, an RF emitter, data port (e.g., USB, optical), charging port,etc. In such instances, in the example shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B, thecomponent can be disposed within an area similar to that illustrated asbeing occupied by the indicium 320. In various articles, the componentcan occupy more or less area than FIG. 4A illustrates.

FIG. 5A illustrates a close up cross-section of the thin second display314 (e.g., thousands of individual LGSs arranged in an array or matrix,each portion of the array or matrix being addressable and the array ormatrix composing pixels of a display or being positioned underrespective pixels of a display) in one example configuration. In anexample, rather than or additionally to disposing the LGSs 400 such thatthey emit light towards the indicium 320, the LGSs 400 may be arrangedso that one or more LGSs are disposed to emit light parallel to theindicium 320 in an “edge-lit”-type application. One or more LGSs 400 maybe disposed along one or more sides of a cavity 500 or along acontinuous portion less than an entirety of the indicium and illuminatetowards an interior portion of the indicium. The cavity 500 may compriseempty space, gas or liquid, the incidium 320 (e.g., translucent orsemi-transparent material, LCD, other display layers, etching), or otherlayers to modify the light, such as a phosphor layer or other LGSs. Asdiscussed above, the indicium 320 can alternatively or additionallyinclude a bezel other features of a device such as a portion of thehousing of the device, and/or an electronic component such as, forexample, an LCD, a camera, a button or other input device, sensor(s)(e.g., infrared sensor, depth sensor), scanner, an RF emitter, data port(e.g., USB, optical), charging port, etc. The indicium 320 is lit bylight refracted in the cavity 500, therefore it may be helpful toinclude a light guide or a light guide and a prism layer. Note that FIG.5A depicts indicium 320 as a diffusive material that does not occupy thetotality of the cavity 500. The indicium may fill the entire cavity 500or may be disposed on the outside of the housing 324. Furthermore, theindicium may comprise any material, LCD, or etching, among other things.

FIG. 5B depicts an example configuration of the LGSs 400 in an“edge-lit” application of the thin second display 314 to light theindicium 320. As is discussed above, the LGSs 400 may be disposed so asto illuminate an interior of the cavity 500 or, in some casesequivalently, an interior of the indicium 320. In some examples, LGSs400 may be disposed on less than an entire side of the cavity 500 orindicium 320. In other examples, the LGSs 400 are disposed on one ormore sides of the cavity 500 or indicium 320. In one example, the LGSs400 are disposed around a circumference of the cavity 500 or indicium320 and illuminate towards an interior portion of the cavity 500 orindicium 320. In another example, the LGSs 400 are disposed along aportion less than an entirety of the indicium and illuminate towards aninterior portion of the indicium. In this example configuration, theLGSs may occupy space in the housing 324 as illustrated.

FIG. 6A depicts yet another cross-section of an example configuration ofthe thin second display 314 to illuminate the indicium 320. In thisexample, the LGSs 400 are disposed along the outside of a cavity 600such that the LGSs 400 emit light towards an interior of the cavity 600or the indicium 320, depending on the implementation. In this example,the substrate to which the LGSs 400 are affixed may be flexible,allowing the substrate with the LGSs deposed thereon to be disposed overthe surface of any object. In order to accomplish this, the substratemay further comprise an adhesive layer (not shown). The substrate may beattached to the housing 324 via adhesion, vulcanization, pressing,molding, or any similarly contemplated method. In another example, theLGSs 400 may be formed into the indicium itself or disposed throughoutthe indicium 320 via injection molding, printing, or a similarlycontemplated method. It is also contemplated that the LGSs 400 need notbe disposed along all sides of the cavity 600 or indicium 320 or tocontinuously be disposed.

FIG. 6B depicts an example configuration and orientation of the LGSs400. As is discussed above, the LGSs 400 may be disposed so as toilluminate an interior of the cavity 600 or, in some cases equivalently,an interior of the indicium 320. In some examples, LGSs 400 may bedisposed on less than an entire side of the cavity 500 or indicium 320.In other examples, the LGSs 400 are disposed on one or more side of thecavity 500 or indicium 320. In one example, the LGSs 400 are disposedaround a circumference of the cavity 500 or indicium 320 and illuminatetowards an interior portion of the cavity 500 or indicium 320.

Illustrative Technique for Indicium Illumination Using One Thin Display

FIG. 7 depicts a cross-section of device 700 comprising a thin display702 (e.g., light-emitting diode (LED)-backlit liquid crystal display(LCD), dLED LGS-backlight LCD, dLED LGS) comprised of a backlight 704(e.g., dLED LGS) and display layer 706 (e.g., LCD) and having a lightemission direction 708 in which general direction the light rays 710 areemitted by the backlight 704 and modified (e.g., diffused, colored,blocked, intensified) by the display layer 308 in light diffusiondirection 712. Although FIG. 7 depicts a thin display 702 having abacklight 704 and a display 706 (e.g., LCD) it is contemplated that thebacklight 704 may comprise addressable LGSs (i.e., each LGS or groups ofLGSs may be individually controllable) and adequately colored (e.g., byemploying phosphor layer over the backlight 704 or by coating theunpackaged LED dies in a phosphor layer before depositing them on asubstrate) so that the display layer 706 is unnecessary and may eitherbe replaced or completely removed. In one example, the display layer 706may be replaced with one or more of a prism layer, a diffusion layer, adiffusing distance offset layer, another LGS layer, a phosphor layer, orany other similarly contemplated layer or surface.

In one example, the thin display 702 may be affixed to a reflector 708.In other examples, the thin display 702 may be affixed to one or more ofa housing 712, an indicium 714, or the display layer 706. In someexamples the reflector 708 is non-continuous, providing for a cavity 716that allows light emitted by the thin display 314 to illuminate theindicium 714. The cavity 716 may comprise empty space, gas or liquid,the indicium 714, or other layers to modify the light such as a phosphorlayer or other LGS. In this example the indicium 714 is lit by lightemitted into the cavity 716 from the backlight 704, therefore it may behelpful to include a light guide or a light guide and a prism layer. Theindicium 714 may fill the entire cavity 716, part of the cavity 716, ormay be disposed on the outside of the housing 712. Furthermore, theindicium may comprise any material, LCD, or etching, among other things.

In order to illuminate the indicium 714, a substrate of the backlight704 may be translucent or transparent to allow light to radiate towardthe indicium 714 in a light emission direction 718.

In one example that employs a dLED LGS to compose the thin display 702,a uniformly-lit and thin display is achievable while illuminating theindicium 714. The thin display 702 is thinner than conventional displaysbecause the backlight 704 comprising dLED LGS has a thickness 720 ofless than 0.25 millimeters and, in some examples, a thickness 720 of atmost 0.2 millimeters. In yet other examples, the backlight 704 has athickness 720 of between 0.1 and 0.15 millimeters. In one example, thebacklight 704 has a thickness 720 of between 0.025 and 0.1 millimeters.Furthermore, the distance between adjacent LED edges 722 in a backlight704 comprising a dLED LGS is 0.05 to 0.1 millimeters or less, meaningthe diffusing offset distance only has to be 0.05 millimeters. For thisreason, a distance 724 from an emission side of the backlight 704 to aviewing surface 726 need only equal the diffusing offset distance (e.g.,0.05 millimeters).

Furthermore, the backlight 704 may comprise a dLED LGS that hasindividually addressable (e.g., controllable) dLEDS or group-addressabledLEDs. The dLEDs may also emit light of different wavelengths.Individually controlling the intensity of light emitted by individualdLEDs or groups of dLEDs emitting light of the same wavelength whilecontrolling the intensity of light emitted by other individual dLEDs orgroups of dLEDs emitting light of another wavelength may permit thebacklight 704 to display images without the need for a LCD (e.g.,individual dLEDs or groups of dLEDs that emit red, green, and blue lightwhich, when each is varied in intensity and mixed, emits a spectrum ofvisible light). Therefore, the thickness of the display layer 706 may bedrastically reduced or eliminated since electrode and liquid crystallayers may be removed.

In some examples, the viewing surface 726 and/or the indicium 714 mayinclude a bezel or other features of a device such as a portion of thehousing of the device, and/or an electronic component such as, forexample, an LCD, a camera, a button or other input device, sensor(s)(e.g., infrared sensor, depth sensor), scanner, an RF emitter, data port(e.g., USB, optical), charging port, etc.

Illustrative Technique for Indicium Illumination on a Surface

FIGS. 8A and 8B depict cross-sections of an object 800 having anindicium 802 therein or thereon disposed and being illuminated bysurface-mounted LGS 804. The object 800 may be any object having asurface to which the surface-mounted LGS 804 may be affixed. Indicium802, as discussed before, may be a transparent or translucent logo(e.g., plastic icon), etching, LCD, or a design (e.g., a sticker,printed shape), among other things. In some examples, thesurface-mounted LGS 804 may be affixed to a surface 806 of the object800 by adhesion, vulcanization, pressing, molding, or any similarlycontemplated method. In another example, the surface-mounted LGS 804 maybe formed into the indicium 802. In various examples the indicium 802can include a bezel or other features of a device such as a portion ofthe housing of the device, and/or an electronic component such as, forexample, an LCD, a camera, a button or other input device, sensor(s)(e.g., infrared sensor, depth sensor), scanner, an RF emitter, data port(e.g., USB, optical), charging port, etc. In such instances, in theexample shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B, the component can be disposed withinan area similar to that illustrated as being occupied by the indicium320. In various articles, the component can occupy more or less areathan FIG. 4A illustrates.

In one example, as illustrated by FIG. 8A, the indicium 804 is disposedwithin the surface of the object 800 and the surface-mounted LGS 804 maybe disposed over at least part of the indicium 804. In another example,fiber optics or a light guide may be employed so that thesurface-mounted LGS 804 is not itself disposed over the indicium 802,but light from the surface-mounted LGS 804 reaches the indicium 802.

In some examples similar to that illustrated in FIG. 8B, thesurface-mounted LGS 804 may comprise dLEDs and a flexible substratehaving an adhesive disposed thereon on a side opposite the dLEDs. Inthis example, the surface-mounted LGS 804 may be adhered to the object800. For example, the surface-mounted LGS 804 could be manufactured likea sticker that has an additional layer to protect the adhesive layerthat can be removed. The sticker may be shaped as a company trademark,and the edges of the trademark or the entire trademark may beilluminated by dLEDs disposed on the surface or edges of the flexiblesubstrate. It is contemplated that in FIG. 8B, the indicium 802 may havea thickness equal to or different than the surface-mounted LGS 804 andmay diffuse, refract, or reflect the light emitted by thesurface-mounted LGS 804.

Illustrative Techniques for Control of Indicium Illumination andNotifications

FIG. 9 depicts a block diagram of an example electronic device 900 thatcontrols illumination of an indicium by LGS array (902(1)-902(n)).Example electronic device 900 may include any type of computing devicehaving one or more processing unit(s) 904 operably connected tocomputer-readable media 906. The connection may be via a bus, which insome instances may include one or more of a system bus, a data bus, anaddress bus, a PCI bus, a Mini-PCI bus, and any variety of local,peripheral, and/or independent buses, or via another operableconnection. Processing unit(s) 904 may represent, for example, a CPUincorporated in example electronic device 900.

Example electronic device 900 may include any type of computing devicehaving one or more processing unit(s) 904 operably connected tocomputer-readable media 906, I/O interfaces(s) 908, and networkinterface(s) 910. Computer-readable media 906 may have a display controlmodule 912 and a notification module 914 stored thereon.

The computer-readable media 906 may include, at least, two types ofcomputer-readable media, namely computer storage media and communicationmedia. Computer storage media may include volatile and non-volatile,non-transitory machine-readable, removable, and non-removable mediaimplemented in any method or technology for storage of information (incompressed or uncompressed form), such as computer (or other electronicdevice) readable instructions, data structures, program modules, orother data to perform processes or methods described herein. Computerstorage media includes, but is not limited to hard drives, floppydiskettes, optical disks, CD-ROMs, DVDs, read-only memories (ROMs),random access memories (RAMs), EPROMs, EEPROMs, flash memory, magneticor optical cards, solid-state memory devices, or other types ofmedia/machine-readable medium suitable for storing electronicinstructions.

In contrast, communication media may embody computer-readableinstructions, data structures, program modules, or other data in amodulated data signal, such as a carrier wave, or other transmissionmechanism. As defined herein, computer storage media does not includecommunication media.

Example electronic device 900 may include, but is not limited to,desktop computers, server computers, web-server computers, personalcomputers, mobile computers, laptop computers, tablet computers,wearable computers, implanted computing devices, telecommunicationdevices, automotive computers, network enabled televisions, thinclients, terminals, personal data assistants (PDAs), game consoles,gaming devices, work stations, media players, personal video recorders(PVRs), set-top boxes, cameras, integrated components for inclusion in acomputing device, appliances, or any other sort of computing device suchas one or more separate processor device(s), such as CPU-type processors(e.g., micro-processors), GPUs, or accelerator device(s).

In some examples, as shown regarding example electronic device 900,computer-readable media 906 may store instructions executable by theprocessing unit(s) 904, which may represent a CPU incorporated inexample electronic device 900. Computer-readable media 906 may alsostore instructions executable by an external CPU-type processor,executable by a GPU, and/or executable by an accelerator, such as anFPGA type accelerator, a DSP type accelerator, or any internal orexternal accelerator.

Executable instructions stored on computer-readable media 906 mayinclude, for example, an operating system 916, a display control module912, a notification module 914 and other modules, programs, orapplications that may be loadable and executable by processing units(s)904. Alternatively, or in addition, the functionally described hereinmay be performed, at least in part, by one or more hardware logiccomponents such as accelerators. For example, and without limitation,illustrative types of hardware logic components that may be used includeField-programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs), Application-specific IntegratedCircuits (ASICs), Application-specific Standard Products (ASSPs),System-on-a-chip systems (SOCs), Complex Programmable Logic Devices(CPLDs), etc. For example, an accelerator may be a hybrid device, suchas one from ZYLEX or ALTERA that includes a CPU core embedded in an FPGAfabric.

In the illustrated example, computer-readable media 906 also includes adata store 918. In some examples, data store 918 includes data storagesuch as a database, data warehouse, or other type of structured orunstructured data storage. In some examples, data store 918 includes arelational database with one or more tables, indices, stored procedures,and so forth to enable data access. Data store 918 may store data forthe operations of processes, applications, components, and/or modulesstored in computer-readable media 906 and/or executed by processingunit(s) 904 or accelerator(s). For example, data store 918 may storeversion data, iteration data, clock data, and other state data storedand accessible by the display control module 912 and the notificationmodule 914.

Example electronic device 900 may further include one or moreinput/output (I/O) interface(s) 908 to allow example electronic device900 to communicate with input/output devices such as user input devicesincluding peripheral input devices (e.g., a keyboard, a mouse, a pen, agame controller, a voice input device, a touch input device, a gesturalinput device, indicium, and the like) and/or output devices includingperipheral output devices (e.g., a display, a printer, audio speakers, ahaptic output, indicium, and the like). Example electronic device 900may also include one or more network interface(s) 910 to enablecommunications between example electronic device 900 and other networkeddevices. Such network interface(s) 910 may include one or more networkinterface controllers (NICs) or other types of transceiver devices tosend and receive communications over a network.

Example electronic device 900 may further include controller(s)920(1)-920(n). In one example, controller(s) 920(1)-920(n) may comprisePN junction diodes, PIN diodes, FETs, electrodes, and/or otherappropriate semiconductors or circuits to transition current supplied tothe LGS(s) 902(1)-902(n) between a grounded state and fully poweredstate. The controller(s) 920(1)-920(n) thereby a means for the displaycontrol module 912, which may be implemented as software stored on thecomputer-readable memory 906, to increase or decrease the amplitude ofthe light emitted by the LGS(s) 901(1)-902(n). In one example where theLGS(s) 902(1)-902(n) emit light of different wavelengths, the displaycontrol module 912 is able to coordinate by the controller(s)920(1)-920(n) the amplitude of the light emitted at various wavelengths,thereby controlling a total color of various regions illuminated by theLGS(s) 902(1)-902(n), such as regions of an indicium. Although FIG. 9depicts LGS(s) 901(1)-902(n) and controller(s) 920(1)-920(n) as beingpart of example electronic device 900, it is contemplated that theLGS(s) 901(1)-902(n) and controller(s) 920(1)-920(n) may not be a partof device 900 but may be communicatively coupled with example electronicdevice 900 by I/O interface(s) 908 or network interface(s) 910.

In some examples the display control module 912 and the notificationmodule 914 are at least partially implemented in software. Displaycontrol module 912 is configured to control states of the LGS(s)902(1)-902(n) by the controller(s) 920(1)-920(2). For example, displaycontrol module 912 may comprise software instructions stored oncomputer-readable memory 906 configured to execute on the processingunit(s) 904 to configure the controller(s) 920(1)-920(2) to increase anddecrease current supplied to the LGS(s) 902(1)-902(n). Where I/Ointerface(s) 908 include communicative coupling with other displays,display control module 912 may also control states of such displays.

The notification module 914 may receive notifications from other devices(e.g., servers, user devices) connected to example electronic device 900via network interface(s) 910, the operating system 916, I/O interface(s)908, applications stored in the data store 918, or other inputs.Notifications, as used herein, may comprise messages (e.g., emails, SMS,MMS, calls, video chat, or indications that one or more of these havebeen received), register states (e.g., flag states), device states(e.g., hibernate, sleep, power on, power off, battery level, networkconnectedness, device alerts), geo-data (e.g., location, speed,acceleration), application inputs/outputs (event reminders, social medianotifications, application readiness state, time remaining in a process,time of day, date, security alerts, call received, music play state,music information), among other indications of states, inputs, andoutputs of an electronic device. It is further contemplated that theobject to which the LGS(s) 902(1)-902(n) are affixed is not electronic,in which case the notifications may comprise indications of informationabout the state of the object or inputs to the object (e.g., speed ofthe object, force applied to the object or a portion of the object).

The notification module 914 in coordination with the display controlmodule 912 may illuminate the LGSs 902(1)-902(n) to cause arepresentation of a notification to appear on the indicium (e.g., anenvelope symbol to represent an email received, a green color to signifya received call, pulsing light to signify a sleep mode, a scrollinganimation to represent a process in progress, a flashing red color tosignify a security alert). The display control module 912, by thecontroller(s) 920(1)-920(n), controls the color and intensity of theLGS(s) 902(1)-902(n) such that a the indicium is lit with a symbol,image, animation. In an application where the indicium is a LCD, thedisplay control module 912 may configure the controller(s) 920(1)-920(n)to provide the appropriate light as a backlight for the liquid crystalsand electrodes of the LCD, which control the color and intensity of thelight emitted from the display.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example method 1000 ofilluminating an indicium to represent a notification. At step 1002, thenotification module 914 receives a notification from another device vianetwork interface(s) 910, the operating system 916, I/O interface(s)908, applications stored in the data store 918, or other inputs. Thenotification module 914 may employ a push or pull model. In a pushmodel, the notification module 914 is pushed notifications from thesource (e.g., a server, another device, the operating system) of thenotification without requesting the notification. In a pull model, thenotification model 914 periodically queries the sources of notificationsto ascertain whether there are new notifications.

Once a notification is obtained, at step 1004, the notification module914 may check the data store 918 to ascertain whether there is anindication for the type of the notification received. For example,indications may include an envelope icon for an email receivednotification, a flashing green animation for an incoming call, symbolscorresponding to the time of day and date, a green pulse for acceptanceof input such as a button activation or fingerprint match, a red pulsefor rejection of input such as a fingerprint mismatch, a “tail-chasing”animation (e.g., where LGSs are sequentially and serially lit and unlitin a pattern that represents a line chasing its tail) for an ongoingupdate or download of information, pulsing light for a sleep mode, etc.If there isn't an appropriate indication for the type of notificationreceived (e.g., no symbol, image, animation, coloration, etc. has beencorresponded with the notification type), the notification module 914returns to awaiting a notification or querying for notificationsaccording to the push or pull model. If there is an appropriateindication for the type of notification received, the method continuesto step 1006. At 1006, the display control module configures thecontroller(s) 920(1)-920(n) to provide current to the LGS(s)901(1)-902(n) such that the LGS(s) 901(1)-901(n) illuminate the indiciumin such a way as to convey the indication (e.g., the indicium pulses agreen color to signify an incoming call, an envelope shape appears inthe indicium, a portion of the indicium is illuminated to indicatebattery level, the indicium pulses to signify a sleep state of thedevice). This method may be employed regardless of the state of anotherdisplay of the device or even the state of the device (e.g.,notifications may be displayed during a sleep state, notifications maybe displayed even when another display is off, notifications may bedisplayed while another display is illuminated).

Illustrative Techniques for Control of Indicium Illumination

FIGS. 11A, 11B, 12A, 12B, and 13 depict illustrative techniques forilluminating an indicium that includes a component 1100 (collectively,1100(1)-(4)) of a device 1102. The component 1100 may include anelectronic component such as, for example, an LCD, a camera, a button orother input device, sensor(s) (e.g., infrared sensor, depth sensor),scanner, an RF emitter, data port (e.g., USB, optical), charging port,any combination thereof, etc. In at least one example, the device 1102may include a housing 1104 having the component 1100 disposed therein,thereon, or therebeneath. In various examples, the housing 1104 caninclude a material conducive to the operation of the component 1100. Forexample, in an instance where the housing 1104 covers the component, thehousing 1104 can include glass and/or metal of a thickness andcomposition permitting detection of capacitance for detection of touchby the component 1100 or in an additional or different instance, thehousing 1104 can include a glass of a composition and thickness thatallows operation of a camera or scanner to detect a fingerprint or otherobject of the environment outside the device 1102. In some examples, thehousing 1104 is continuous and in other examples the housing 1104 is notcontinuous but may be contiguous to the component. In some examples, thehousing 1104 can be contiguous to the component 1100 if operation of thecomponent 1100 is enhanced by the housing 1104 being non-continuous. Invarious examples, the housing 1104 may be non-continuous andnon-contiguous or partially-contiguous to the component 1100. In thisinstance, another material or component may be interposed between thehousing 1104 and the component 1100, such as, for example, an additionalportion of the indicium 1106 (e.g., the component 1100 may be a part ofthe indicium and a remaining portion of the indicium may be interposedbetween the component 1100 and the housing 1104).

In some examples, the component 1100 may be a singular component of thedevice 1102, a plurality of components of the device 1102, or acomponent including further components, as in FIGS. 11A, 11B, 12A, 12B,and 13 (1100(1)-(4)). For example, the component 1100 can include aphysically or digitally actuatable button and/or a scanner(1100(1)-(4)). In some examples, a component 1100 including a scannercan be disposed at the back, front, or a bezel of the housing 1004. Invarious examples, the scanner can be disposed under the housing 1104,wherein the portion of the housing 1104 disposed over the scanner has acomposition of glass or another material conducive to optical,capacitive, or other sensing. In various examples, 1100(4) can be theportion of the housing 1104 rather than part of the component 1100.FIGS. 11A, 11B, 12A, and 12B depict instances where a component 1100 isdisposed in between and below housing 1104 that is contiguous with aportion of the indicium 1106. In at least one example, the portion ofthe indicium 1106 includes a material contiguous with the component1100. In some examples, the material can include glass, metal, orplastic. In at least one example, the portion of the indicium 1106 is aring or a generally circular object. In various examples, the portion ofthe indicium 1106 can have a continuous shape, such as a polygon, or anon-continuous shape, such as a line or an arc. In some examples, theportion of the indicium 1106 is not included.

FIG. 11A illustrates a perspective view of at least one example of thetechniques as applied in a device 1102 where LGSs 1108 are disposed onthe portion of the indicium 1106. In at least one example the LGSs 1108are molded, pressed, adhered, directly transferred, and/or otherwiseaffixed to the portion of the indicium 1106. In some examples, the LGSs1108 may be disposed within the portion of the indicium 1106. In variousexamples, the portion of the indicium 1106 can be the LGSs 1108, whereina substrate of the LGSs 1108 may be as thick as is structurallynecessary for support to the housing 1104 or for the function of thecomponent 1100. In at least one example, an illumination direction ofthe LGSs 1108 can substantially radiate away from the device 1102 or,equivalently, along the y-axis defined in FIG. 11A. In various examples,the LGSs 1108 may be oriented in more than substantially oneillumination direction and may radiate in substantially any and/or everydirection. Although FIG. 11A depicts the LGSs 1108 as being disposed ona side facing outward from the device 1102, it is contemplated that theLGSs 1108 could be on an opposite side underneath the portion of theindicium 1106, facing inward to the device 1102. In such an instance,the portion of the indicium 1106 could include a material that istransparent or semi-transparent to permit at least some light from theLGSs 1108 to pass through the portion of the indicium 1106. In variousexamples, the LGSs 1108 are disposed over the component 1100.Furthermore, although the component is illustrated in FIG. 11A as beinglocated in the front of the housing 1104 of the device 1102 below adisplay 1110, it is contemplated that the component can be disposedanywhere within or without the device 1102. FIGS. 11A, 12A, and 13merely illustrate particular configurations of LGSs in relation tocomponents of the device 1102.

In at least one example, the LGSs 1108 may be configured to activate ina pattern associated with an indication of a received notification orstatus, as discussed above. In at least one example, the notification orstatus may be related to the component 1100. For example, if thecomponent is a scanner, the activation can indicate a successful scan(e.g., scan resulted in useful information, such as a biometric scanthat has enough data to identify a match or mismatch with storedbiometric data, etc.), an input match with an anticipated input (e.g.,biometric data received validated, etc.), an input mismatch with ananticipated input (e.g., biometric data received not received), a powerstate of the device 1102 (e.g., pulsing for a sleep state, flash for a“turning on” state, etc.), etc.

FIG. 11B illustrates a plane view of the LGSs 1108. Although FIG. 11Bdepicts eight individual LGSs 1110 composing the LGSs 1108, it iscontemplated that more individual LGSs 1110 may compose the LGSs 1108(e.g., tens, hundreds, or potentially thousands of individual LGSs 1110,depending on type of LGS, the size of the structural support/substrate,the application, notification and status types, and power concerns).FIG. 11B generally illustrates a general distribution of the LGSs 1110in an x-z plane, as defined in FIG. 11B.

FIG. 12A illustrates a perspective view of at least one example of thetechniques as applied in a device 1102 where LGSs 1108 are disposed onthe portion of the indicium 1106. In at least one example the LGSs 1108are molded, pressed, adhered, directly transferred, and/or otherwiseaffixed to the portion of the indicium 1106. In some examples, the LGSs1108 may be disposed within the portion of the indicium 1106. In atleast one example, the LGSs 1108 may be substantially on or near aninner diameter of the portion of the indicium 1106, having anillumination direction substantially radiating towards the component1100 of the device 1102. In this instance, at least part 1100(4) ofcomponent 1100 may be transparent or semi-transparent. The material ofpart 1100(4) may be chosen to provide a “halo” effect where radiatedlight decreases towards a center of the indicium/component.

FIG. 12B illustrates a plane view of the portion of the indicium 1106and the LGSs 1108.

FIG. 13 illustrates a plane view of at least one example of thetechniques as applied in a device 1300 where LGSs 1302 are disposed toilluminate various indicia 1304(1)-(5). In at least one example, theindicia 1304 depicted in FIG. 13 include various components such as, forexample, an area 1304(1) and (3) of a housing 1306 of the device 1300, abutton 1304(3) of the device 1300, a bezel 1304(4) of the device 1300,and an input reception component 1304(5).

In at least one example, at least one of the areas 1304(1) or (2) may bean area of the housing 1306 designated to receive input or transmitoutput. For example, one or both of areas 1304(1) and (2) may be a touchsensitive area having capacitive, optical, or other sensors disposedbelow the housing 1306. In some examples, one or both of the areas1304(1) and (2) may include a camera, signal emitter (e.g., RF emitter,etc.), or any other input/output device. It is also contemplated that,although FIG. 13 depicts areas 1304(1) and (2) as being in the positionsthey are depicted in, one or both of the areas may be disposed on aback, side, or other position of the housing 1306. The LGSs 1302 can bedisposed in any manner as similarly discussed above in regards to FIGS.11A, 11B, 12A, and 12B. FIG. 13 depicts differing configurations of theLGSs 1302 disposed in, beneath, adjacent, and/or above the areas 1304(1)and (2). For example, the LGSs 1302 used to illuminate area 1304(1) maybe disposed throughout the area 1304(1) and radiate light away from thedevice 1300 or in any other suitable direction. Note, as used in thisapplication, the term adjacent may mean next to, adjoining somecomponent, having a common endpoint or border, immediately preceding orfollowing (e.g., in sequence of component structure), etc. In anotherexample, the LGSs 1302 used to illuminate area 1304(2) may be disposedalong outer edges of the area 1304(2) and may be oriented so as toradiate light towards a center of the area 1304(2) and/or away from thedevice 1300. In at least one example, the LGSs 1302 illuminating one orboth of the areas 1304(1) and (2) may activate to indicate notificationsor statuses of the device 1300 or function as a display for text orimages.

In at least one example, the indicia 1304(3) may comprise a button orother input/output feature. In one example, the LGSs 1302 may illuminatethe button(s) 1304(3) responsive to provided input or to indicate areceived notification or status regarding the function of the button1304(3). For example, the button(s) 1304(3) can comprise a power,volume, silencing, hold, and/or other button and the LGSs 1302 mayilluminate the button(s) 1304(3) or an area near the buttons to indicatea power state, a volume condition, a silencing action, a hold state,etc., respectively.

In some examples, the indicia 1304(4) may comprise a bezel 1304(4) ofthe device 1300. In this instance, the housing 1306 may be composed ofmaterials being conducive to transmission of light and/or reception ofinput, such as touch, for example. The LGSs 1302 illuminating the bezel1304(4) may be disposed so as to convey a variety of notifications andstatuses such as, for example, battery level, Wi-Fi connectivity, etc.

In at least one example, the indicia 1304(5) may include an inputreception component 1304(5). Input reception component 1304(5) mayinclude a camera, a scanner, a sensor, and/or a button, etc. In someexamples, the LGSs 1302 may be disposed and so configured as to functionas a flash for a camera. For example, the LGSs 1302 can be disposedaround, near, or at a location of the device 1300 such that activationof the LGSs 1302 provides illumination for reception by the camera. Inat least one example, the LGSs 1302 can be disposed surrounding theinput reception component 1304(5). In some examples, the LGSs 1302 canbe disposed beneath, throughout, or over the input reception component1304(5).

CONCLUSION

Although the subject matter has been described in language specific tostructural features and/or methodological acts, it is to be understoodthat the subject matter defined in the appended claims is notnecessarily limited to the specific features or acts described. Rather,the specific features and steps are disclosed as example forms ofimplementing the claims.

All of the methods and processes described above may be embodied in, andfully automated via, software code modules executed by one or moregeneral purpose computers or processors. The code modules may be storedin any type of computer-readable storage medium or other computerstorage device. Some or all of the methods may alternatively be embodiedin specialized computer hardware.

Conditional language such as, among others, “can,” “could,” “may” or“may,” unless specifically stated otherwise, are understood within thecontext to present that certain examples include, while other examplesdo not include, certain features, elements and/or steps. Thus, suchconditional language is not generally intended to imply that certainfeatures, elements and/or steps are in any way required for one or moreexamples or that one or more examples necessarily include logic fordeciding, with or without user input or prompting, whether certainfeatures, elements and/or steps are included or are to be performed inany particular example.

Conjunctive language such as the phrase “at least one of X, Y or Z,”unless specifically stated otherwise, is to be understood to presentthat an item, term, etc. may be either X, Y, or Z, or a combinationthereof.

Any routine descriptions, elements or blocks in the flow diagramsdescribed herein and/or depicted in the attached figures should beunderstood as potentially representing modules, segments, or portions ofcode that include one or more executable instructions for implementingspecific logical functions or elements in the routine. Alternateimplementations are included within the scope of the examples describedherein in which elements or functions may be deleted, or executed out oforder from that shown or discussed, including substantiallysynchronously or in reverse order, depending on the functionalityinvolved as would be understood by those skilled in the art.

It should be emphasized that many variations and modifications may bemade to the above-described examples, the elements of which are to beunderstood as being among other acceptable examples. All suchmodifications and variations are intended to be included herein withinthe scope of this disclosure and protected by the following claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. An electronic device comprising: a housing havinga front and a back; a component embedded within the front or the back ofthe housing; and an array of light-generating sources (LGSs) depositedon a substrate disposed in the housing, the array of LGSs being disposedadjacent at least a portion of the component of the electronic device.2. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the component of theelectronic device includes one or more of: a camera, an infrared camera,a button, a fingerprint reader, an indicium, a depth sensor, amicrophone, a speaker, an input/output interface, a portion of a housingof the device, or a bezel of the device.
 3. The electronic device ofclaim 1, wherein the LGSs surround an entirety of a periphery of thecomponent.
 4. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the array ofLGSs and the substrate have a combined profile height of less than 0.25millimeters,
 5. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the LGSs arearranged circularly around the component.
 6. The electronic device ofclaim 1, wherein the component is a camera and the LGSs are configuredto function as a flash for the camera.
 7. The electronic device of claim1, wherein the electronic device sequentially lights the LGSs, inresponse to a signal received from a processor of the electronic device.8. The electronic device of claim 4 wherein the input sensor of theelectronic device is one or more of: a button, a fingerprint reader, 9.A device comprising: a housing having a front and a back; an array oflight-generating sources (LGSs) deposited on a substrate disposed withinthe front or the back of the housing, the array of LGSs and thesubstrate having a combined profile height of less than 0.25millimeters; one or more processors; and computer-readable media havingstored thereon computer-readable instructions, which, when executed,cause the one or more processors to activate the LGSs.
 10. The device ofclaim 9 further comprising a component, wherein the LGSs are disposedwithin the housing so that activating the LGSs illuminates at least aportion of the component of the device.
 11. The device of claim 10,wherein the component of the device includes one or more of: an inputreception area, a button, a bezel, a data port, a charging port, acamera, a sensor, a transmitter, a transparent layer, a semi-transparentlayer, or a display.
 12. The device of claim 9, wherein activating theLGSs illuminates an area outside the device.
 13. The device of claim 12further comprising a camera having a field of view, and wherein the LGSsare configured to illuminate an area within the field of view of thecamera.
 14. The device of claim 13, wherein the LGSs surround at least aportion of the camera.
 15. The device of claim 9, wherein the one ormore processors are configured to: receive a notification or identify astatus; and activate the LGSs based at least in part on the notificationor the status.
 16. The device of claim 15, wherein the processorsactivate the LGSs in a pattern, the pattern based at least in part on atype of the notification or the status.
 17. The device of claim 16,wherein the pattern corresponds to at least one of: a biometric datamatch, a biometric data mismatch, a logon attempt, a touch input, adevice state, an application notification, an operating systemnotification, or an input/output device notification.
 18. The device ofclaim 9 further comprising an indicium and wherein the LGSs are disposedto illuminate at least a portion of the indicium.
 19. The device ofclaim 18, wherein the LGSs are spaced from the indicium such that theLGSs have a diffusing offset distance of at most 0.05 millimeters, thediffusing offset distance comprising a distance between an emissionsurface of the LGSs and a viewing surface of the indicium.
 20. Thedevice of claim 9, where in the LGSs include unpackaged light-emittingdiode dies deposited on the substrate.